[CALL TO ORDER] [00:00:08] ORDER. GOOD MORNING, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS REGULAR MEETING. OCTOBER THE 6TH, 2026. IT'S 9 A.M. THIS. MARK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? COMMISSIONER CROSBY? YES, MA'AM. COMMISSIONER RAFFIELD. YES, MA'AM. COMMISSIONER CARROLL. YES, MA'AM. COMMISSIONER MOORE. YES, MA'AM. CHAIRMAN. PEACE. YES, MA'AM. OUR INVOCATION TODAY WILL BE BY ASSOCIATE PASTOR ALEX GENTILLY, FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, PANAMA CITY, AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BY CHAIRMAN PEASE. PLEASE RISE. LET'S PRAY. FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY AND THIS OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE TOGETHER THIS MORNING. AND FATHER, WE ARE JUST SO GRATEFUL FOR WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU ARE DOING IN THE LIFE OF OUR COMMUNITY HERE IN BAY COUNTY, FLORIDA. FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS MINUTE. THESE MEN AND WOMEN WHO YOU USE TO LEAD OUR COMMUNITY. AND FATHER, WE PRAY AS WE GATHER HERE TODAY THAT YOU WOULD JUST LEAD US, GUIDE US, GIVE US WISDOM, GIVE US DISCERNMENT, LORD, AS WE MAKE DECISIONS FOR OUR COMMUNITY. FATHER, WE ALSO JUST WANT TO THANK YOU AS WE GET READY TO CELEBRATE THE ANNIVERSARY OF HURRICANE MICHAEL AND WHAT YOU'VE DONE IN THIS COMMUNITY SINCE THAT DAY. AND FATHER, HOW YOU HAVE WORKED THROUGH THESE MEN AND THESE WOMEN AS THEY'VE GIVEN LEADERSHIP TO REBUILD OUR COMMUNITY. AND SO, FATHER, AGAIN, WE ASK THAT YOU JUST COME AND DWELL THIS MORNING IN THIS PLACE AS WE CONTINUE TO MAKE BAY COUNTY BRIGHTER. FATHER, WE LOVE YOU, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU LOVE US. AND I PRAY, AMEN. AMEN. JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. APPROVAL OF [APPROVAL OF AGENDA (Additions or Deletions)] THE AGENDA. DO WE HAVE ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS? YES, CHAIRMAN. STAFF WOULD LIKE TO PULL NUMBER SEVEN, ITEM SEVEN TO REGULAR. THERE WAS AN A, AN ATTACHMENT THAT WAS INADVERTENTLY PUT IN THERE. WE HAVE CORRECTED THAT AND IT IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE TABLE AS WE WALK IN. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THERE ARE NO PRESENTATIONS TODAY SO WE'LL NEED A MOTION. PUBLIC COMMENT. MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA. MY APOLOGIES. SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? COMMISSIONER CARROLL. YES, MA'AM. COMMISSIONER MOORE. YES, MA'AM. COMMISSIONER CROSBY. YES, MA'AM. COMMISSIONER. RAFAEL. YES, MA'AM. CHAIRMAN. PEACE. YES, MA'AM. APOLOGIZE FOR THAT. [PUBLIC COMMENT] THERE ARE NO PRESENTATIONS TODAY, SO WE'LL MOVE TO PUBLIC COMMENT. THIS IS OPEN TO ANY ITEM ON OUR AGENDA EXCEPT FOR THE PUBLIC HEARINGS, WHICH YOU'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING PORTION. IF YOU'D LIKE TO COMMENT, PLEASE COME FORWARD, GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. MY NAME IS CAPTAIN GARY WAYNE BECK. I LIVE AT 2601 BEACH STREET. THE ITEM I'D LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT IS ITEM NINE WITH THE BAY COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL. THE BAY COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL CAME TO MY HOUSE, TOOK MY DOG FROM MY BACKYARD. I GOT PICTURES OF MY DOG ON ONE SIDE OF THE FENCE. I GOT THE DOG'S TRACKS ON ONE SIDE OF THE FENCE. I GOT PICTURES OF THE DOG'S TRACKS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE, AND WHERE THEY REMOVED THE BOARDS TO GET MY DOG. DURING THE MEANTIME, CLARA, WHENEVER YOU CAME OUT TO MY HOUSE AND THE CODE ENFORCEMENT TOOK PICTURES OVER MY PRIVACY FENCE, AND THEN THEY TOOK AND CUT THEIR WAY ONTO MY PROPERTY. THAT BIG PILE OF STEEL CAGE WAS MY DOG KENNEL THAT I HAD BUILT TO KEEP MY DOG IN. AND THEY COME IN AND THEY CRUSHED IT WITH THE CODE ENFORCEMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH CLAUDIA GAMMON, WHENEVER THEY TOOK IN A FALSIFIED COURT DOCUMENTS AND FORGED MY NAME DURING THE MEANTIME, WHENEVER THEY TOOK MY DOG. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THEY'VE TAKEN PEOPLE'S DOGS. I HAVE NUMEROUS DIFFERENT TIMES WHERE THEY USE THE CODE ENFORCEMENT TO TARGET THE PEOPLE'S ANIMALS, SUCH AS. GOSH, I CAN'T REMEMBER FREAKING. I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER THE OLD MAN'S NAME, THE THE GUY THAT THEY TOOK. AND THEY DESTROYED HIS PROPERTY AND KILLED HIS DOG. THEY'VE DONE IT TIME AND TIME AGAIN. AND NOW THIS IS ALSO THE SAME PEOPLE THAT THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TORTURING ME THE LAST 17 YEARS. AND JUST SO HAPPENS, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS KIND OF COINCIDED, RIGHT? WHEN THEY PUT THE UPSIDE DOWN CROSS IN LIVING ROOM IN MY LIVING ROOM ALONG WITH THE PENTAGRAM. AND I WANT ALL Y'ALL TO KNOW WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU COME HOME. YOUR DOG'S GONE AND YOU'VE GOT AN UPSIDE DOWN CROSS AND PENTAGRAM. YOU KNOW WE'RE DEALING WITH SADOMASOCHISTS. YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME? GO ASK CORPORAL CHANCE, YOU KNOW. AND THEN WE GOT THE THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL SOMEWHERE THAT PREYS UPON THE CHILDREN. OH, YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT. YOU DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT IT. Y'ALL KEEP PULLING ME AWAY FROM BEING ABLE TO SPEAK. AND WE GOT OLD GRIFF GRIFFIN SITTING OVER THERE WHO PULLED ME AWAY TIME AND AGAIN. WHAT? LET ME SPEAK. AND I GOT ALL THESE THINGS, YOU KNOW, BUT WE'RE DEALING THE SECOND ISSUE. THE SECOND ISSUE I WISH TO ADDRESS IS THE [00:05:03] ADDITION AND DELETION OF EMERGENCY ITEMS. DO YOU OR DO YOU NOT THINK THAT THIS GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO ADDRESS ME PROPERLY, INSTEAD OF THREE MINUTES AT EACH TIME? FOR 17 YEARS, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET ON THIS AGENDA SO YOU COULD ADDRESS YOUR GRIEVANCES WITH THE DESECRATION OF THE CONSTITUTION AND THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND THE GOOD PEOPLE OF BAY COUNTY. SINCE I'VE SPOKEN TO Y'ALL LAST, I GOT ANOTHER ATTORNEY AND THIS ATTORNEY, HIS LEGAL SECRETARY RIPPED ME OF MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO MY ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGES. AND THEN ONCE I TOLD THIS LADY WHAT WAS GOING ON, SHE TRIED TO BLACKMAIL ME. YOU SEE WHAT I'M SAYING? AND THERE'S SOME THINGS I DON'T REALLY WANT TO PUT OUT, BUT I THINK I'VE DONE PUT OUT ENOUGH CRAP THAT THIS CITY'S BEEN DOING. FOR HOW LONG NOW TO THE PEOPLE? HOW LONG HAVE I BEEN UP HERE? 17 YEARS. OH, YEAH. Y'ALL JUST RIPPED ME AWAY AND TELL ME AND PRETEND I DON'T EXIST. HEY, THAT RIGHT, GRIFF GRIFFIN. THANK YOU. THIS IS OPEN. THIS IS OPEN TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA. PLEASE COME FORWARD IF YOU HAVE. IF YOU'RE SPEAKING ABOUT THAT, YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. WE'VE GOT OTHER TIME TO SPEAK ABOUT OTHER ITEMS AT THE END. YES, SIR. COME FORWARD PLEASE. GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR. MICHAEL STEIN KIRCHNER, 54, 18. PINE TREE ON THE ISLAND. JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, MA'AM. ITEM SEVEN. WILL THERE BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK DURING THAT OR SHOULD I ADDRESS THOSE ITEMS NOW SINCE IT'S BEEN MOVED? YES, SIR. THERE WILL BE TIME FOR YOU TO SPEAK ON THAT. THANK YOU MA'AM. OKAY. ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON? THIS KIND OF THING? NO. I'M WAITING. SO ONE MOMENT PLEASE. YOU WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT AGENDA ITEMS NOW? WE'VE MOVED THIS ITEM, SO. ONE MINUTE, MR. STEIN. KIRSHNER. YES, MA'AM. THAT ONE WILL NEED TO BE ADDRESSED NOW. OKAY. IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME ON UP AND SPEAK ABOUT NUMBER SEVEN, MY APOLOGIES. THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION. MICHAEL STEIN KIRCHNER, 5418. PINE TREE ON THE ISLAND. I'M SPEAKING ABOUT ITEM SEVEN THERE, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE ITEM BEING MOVED. THERE'S SOME DISCREPANCIES IN THE ITEMS THAT WERE POSTED ONLINE, SPECIFICALLY THE SECTION RELATING TO TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. THE ITEM THAT WAS POSTED ONLINE HAD $28 MILLION THAT WAS GOING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SABER CENTER AND JUST A FEW HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS THAT WAS GOING TO THE SPORTS PARK. IMPROVEMENTS. THE DOCUMENT THAT IS CURRENTLY WAS HANDED OUT THIS MORNING HAS 18 MILLION GOING TO DEVELOPMENT OF THE SABER CENTER, AND NOW $7 MILLION GOING TO SPORTS PARK IMPROVEMENTS. I UNDERSTAND MR. GRIFFITHS IS IN ATTENDANCE TODAY. IF HE COULD EXPLAIN WHICH OF THOSE IS ACCURATE, THE ONE THAT IS CURRENTLY POSTED ONLINE WITH THE AGENDA OR THE ONE THAT WAS HANDED OUT. THE OTHER ITEM THAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT WITH THIS IS IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE WAS A PIN PUT IN THAT PROJECT. SO WE'RE ALLOCATING 18,000 OR 26. WHOEVER FIGURES IT OUT, IT'S NOT LIKE WE ADDED A BAG OF CHIPS AT CHECKOUT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. THAT'S THAT'S $7 MILLION DIFFERENCE. SO I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME TRANSPARENCY IN WHAT THAT FUND IS GOING TO GO TO. I BELIEVE IN JULY, THERE WAS A DECISION MADE TO PUT A PIN IN THAT, AND THAT MAY NOT EVEN BE THE RIGHT LOCATION FOR THAT PROJECT. AND I THINK THERE'S NO ONE BETTER TO ADDRESS THAT THAN MR. GRIFFITHS AS HE'S HERE, IF HE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO BEFORE THAT, MUCH MONEY, WHICH APPEARS TO BE ABOUT HALF OF THE BUDGET FOR THE TDC GETS APPROVED. AND I'M SURE, OBVIOUSLY YOU'D LIKE TO KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT AS WELL. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK? IS THIS FOR NOW OR ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER SESSION AT THE END OF THE MEETING? THERE WILL BE THERE WILL BE ANOTHER CHANCE FOR YOU TO SPEAK ON ANY ANY ITEM YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK ON. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. NO ONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO CONSENT [CONSENT AGENDA] AGENDA. SCHUBERT. YES. ON YOUR CONSENT AGENDA THIS MORNING UNDER CLERK OF COURTS. ITEM ONE. REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES. STAFF'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE BOARD TO ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF REPORTS UNDER BUDGET REPORT ITEM TWO. FISCAL YEAR 26. BUDGET AMENDMENT. STAFF'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE BOARD TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION AMENDING FISCAL YEAR 26 BUDGET UNDER COLLABORATIVE SERVICES. ITEM THREE TRANSIT MARKET SERVICE SERVICES CONTRACT AMENDMENT STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION IS FOR THE BOARD TO APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN TO EXECUTE THE TRANSIT MARKETING SERVICES CONTRACT AMENDMENT UNDER COUNTY ATTORNEY ITEM FOUR SALE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY STAFF'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE BOARD TO APPROVE THE SALE OF SURPLUS PARCELS AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN TO EXECUTE THE CLOSING DOCUMENTS UNDER OUTSIDE AGENCIES. ITEM FIVE MEXICO BEACH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL APPOINTMENT STAFF'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE BOARD TO REVIEW AND APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT FOR THE BUSINESS TOURISM SEAT, WITH A TERM SET TO EXPIRE SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2029. ITEM SIX U.S. DEPARTMENT OF [00:10:04] JUSTICE 2026 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JAG LOCAL FORMULA STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION IS FOR THE BOARD TO APPROVE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT LOCAL FORMULA IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,256, AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN THE CERTIFICATION AND ASSURANCES FORM. ITEM SEVEN HAS BEEN MOVED TO REGULAR UNDER UTILITY SERVICES. ITEM EIGHT SMOKE TESTING AND MANHOLE INSPECTION CONTRACT STAFF'S RECOMMENDED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE BOARD TO AWARD CONTRACT 26-53 SMOKE TESTING AND MANHOLE INSPECTION TO U. SSI, LLC FOR A ONE YEAR CONTRACT WITH THREE ADDITIONAL ONE YEAR RENEWAL OPTIONS. THAT IS YOUR CONSENT AGENDA THIS MORNING. STAFF RESPECTFULLY REQUEST APPROVAL. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? IF NOT, COULD I GET A MOTION TO APPROVE. MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND. MOTION. AND A SECOND. COULD YOU CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE? COMMISSIONER CARROLL. YES, MA'AM. COMMISSIONER CROSBY. YES. COMMISSIONER. RAFFIELD. YES, [7. FY27 Panama City Beach CVB, Mexico Beach & Panama City CDC Contracts] MA'AM. COMMISSIONER MOORE. YES, MA'AM. CHAIRMAN. PEACE. YES, MA'AM. SO WE DID MOVE ON. NUMBER SEVEN, ITEM SEVEN TO THE REGULAR AGENDA. SO JOEL AND MR. GRIFFITHS, I THINK, IS GOING TO SPEAK ON THIS ALSO. WELL, MR. GRIFFITHS APPROACH IS ALWAYS THERE, BUT WE HAVE THE CORRECTED ATTACHMENTS AT THE FRONT OF THE ROOM. I BELIEVE THEY'VE BEEN CORRECTED OR THEY'LL BE CORRECTED IN THE ACTUAL MINUTES AS WELL. BUT MR. GRIFFITHS CAN SPEAK TO THE COMMENTS BEFORE. THANK YOU, MR. GRIFFITHS. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. YES. FIRST OFF, THANK THE CLERK'S OFFICE AND YOUR STAFF, AS WE HAD MANY ITERATIONS AND EMAILS BACK AND FORTH FOR SEVERAL WEEKS TRYING TO GET THIS THIS CONTRACT DRAFTED. IT IS A DIFFERENT CONTRACT IN THE PAST, BUT I THINK IT WORKS VERY WELL FOR ALL OF US. I THINK THE CLERK WOULD AGREE THIS IS A A GOOD COMPROMISE. AND WHERE WE'VE LANDED, THE EMAIL DID INADVERTENTLY THE ATTACHMENTS THAT WERE SENT TO YOU DID HAVE SOME A BAD, YOU KNOW, ATTACHMENT TO IT. SO WE HAD TO CORRECT THAT YESTERDAY. THAT WAS CAUGHT CORRECTED. AND THAT'S WHY WE BROUGHT THIS TO THE REGULAR AGENDA SO WE CAN ADDRESS IT PUBLICLY. SO OTHER THAN THAT, THE CONTRACT IS A THREE YEAR DEAL THAT WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU YEARLY WITH A BUDGET, A PROGRAM OF WORK, AND BUT THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT WILL REMAIN THE SAME. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR THAT. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. GRIFFITH? THANK YOU. ANY CLARIFICATION ON WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY BEFORE Y'ALL MAKE A MOTION? MR. KIRCHNER IS ALWAYS WELCOME TO COME TO THE OFFICE, THE CONVERSATION. AND IF YOU WANT TO STICK AROUND, I'LL SPEAK TO YOU AFTER THE MEETING ABOUT SOME OF HIS QUESTIONS, WHICH PROBABLY A LITTLE MORE DETAIL THAN NEEDS TO BE TOLD UP HERE IN THE PUBLIC FOR RIGHT NOW. SO BUT THE INDOOR SPORTS FACILITY IS STILL ON THE TABLE. ALL RIGHT. SO IF THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS, WE'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE. I'LL SECOND IT. WE'VE GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND. WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLL PLEASE COMMISSIONER RAPHAEL. YES, MA'AM. COMMISSIONER CROSBY. YES, MA'AM. COMMISSIONER CARROLL. YES, MA'AM. COMMISSIONER MOORE. YES, MA'AM. CHAIRMAN. PEACE. YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. PUBLIC HEARING. WE'RE GOING TO OPEN FOR PUBLIC HEARING. WE ASK [9. Bay County Animal Control Ordinance Revisions] THAT ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, PLEASE STAND UP AND BE SWORN IN. THIS IS NOT A QUASI JUDICIAL HEARING. OKAY, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO SWEAR ANYBODY IN. ALL RIGHT. THIS IS REGARDING OUR ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE, OUR CURRENT ORDINANCE CURRENTLY PROVIDES THAT IT'S UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO FAIL TO PROVIDE AN ANIMAL WITH SUFFICIENT WATER, FOOD, SHELTER FROM EXTREME WEATHER, NECESSARY VETERINARY CARE, SUFFICIENT EXERCISE, OR WHOLESOME EXCHANGE OF AIR. IT ALSO PROHIBITS TRAPPING, CAGING OR CONFINING AN ANIMAL WITHOUT WATER, FOOD, SHADE, SPACE OR EXERCISE. AT OUR LAST MEETING, WE ADOPTED OR THE BOARD ADOPTED SPECIFIC TRAPPING RULES FOR CATS, INCLUDING PROHIBITIONS ON POISONS OR STUPEFYING SUBSTANCES. OURS THAT THE TRAP CAN BE SET FOR CAPTURE REQUIREMENTS FOR RELEASE. RELEASING CATS THAT ARE HELD IN A TRAP, AND RESTRICTIONS ON TRAPPING CAT DURING WATCH WARNING OR ADVISORY ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. THIS ORDINANCE WOULD EXPAND THE THE CAT TRAPPING RULES. THE. THAT PRIMARILY RELATE TO THE TIMING OF TRAPPING. IT WOULD EXPAND THOSE RULES TO APPLY TO ALL DOMESTIC ANIMALS. THAT IS. THAT IS IT. HAVE ANY QUESTIONS [00:15:02] FOR STAFF? IT'S OPEN TO PUBLIC COMMENT. IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO COME UP AND COMMENT ON THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING ABOUT THE TRAPPING, BARBARA HOLCOMB, 2724 SOUTH PLEASANT OAK COURT. YOU'VE STATED THAT INCLEMENT WEATHER IS. IF I HAVE A COVERED AREA THAT I AM TRAPPING IN AND IT'S RAINING, I'M PROHIBITED FROM PUTTING MY TRAPS OUT. BUT YET THE PEOPLE THAT OWN THE CATS CAN THROW THEM OUTSIDE IN THE WEATHER. SO WHERE DOES THAT BALANCE OUT? WE HAVE A PROBLEM IN BAY COUNTY AND YOU ALL KNOW IT. JOEL. AS OF FEBRUARY OF LAST YEAR, I TRAPPED 105 CATS ON MY PROPERTY. 56 WERE ADOPTED OUT, 41 WERE EUTHANIZED, AND FIVE WERE RETURNED TO THE OWNERS. I HAVE A RIGHT TO MY PRIVATE PROPERTY AND MY HEALTH. EVERYONE UP HERE. YOUR FIRST DUTY IS TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS. YOU'RE NOT DOING THAT, CLAIRE. SOMEBODY CAME TO YOU THAT WORKS FOR THE COUNTY AND YOUR PEOPLE IN YOUR GRAND PANAMA WERE CONCERNED AND WANTED THE CATS REMOVED. YOU TOLD THEM NOT TO TOUCH THE CATS. YOU ARE GOING AGAINST YOUR OWN COUNTY ORDINANCES. WE HAVE SEA TURTLES, WE HAVE NESTING BIRDS, AND WE HAVE DUNE MICE THAT ARE FEDERALLY PROTECTED. AND YOU WENT AGAINST COMPLETELY WITH FEDERAL LAW PROTECTS. I'M DISGUSTED. I'M DISGUSTED AT THE PEOPLE THAT LET THEIR CATS ROAM, THE DISEASES THAT THEY CARRY. NOW THEY'RE FINDING STUDIES THAT CHILDREN WHO OWNED CATS WERE A CAT HOUSEHOLD ARE HAVING BEHAVIOR ISSUES WHEN THEY GROW UP. FOUR AND FIVE YEAR OLD CHILDREN ARE COMING UP WITH BEHAVIOR ISSUES. AND IT'S BY SCIENCE ALERT. SO THIS IS A SCIENTIFIC STUDY. DO ANY OF YOU EVER GO ONLINE AND RESEARCH WHAT'S GOING ON WITH CATS? EXCEPT FOR THE PEOPLE THAT SIT THERE AND TORMENT, HARASS DOCS? WHAT DO YOU EVER THINK OF THOSE PEOPLE AS THE PROBLEM? BECAUSE I AM TIRED OF PEOPLE SAYING THAT I'M KILLING CATS. ANIMAL CONTROL DECIDES WHO GETS EUTHANIZED AND WHO DOESN'T. NOT ME. I'M DOING MY DUTY BY KEEPING MY PROPERTY CLEAR OF DISEASE AND FERAL, UNWANTED CATS. AND AS A PROPERTY OWNER, I HAVE THAT RIGHT. AND IF I HAVE A COVERED AREA THAT I'M TRAPPING IN, I SHOULD NOT BE BOUND TO A WEATHER ADVISORY. I APPRECIATE IT, BUT YOU ALL NEED TO DO SOME RESEARCH. JOEL, I'M DISAPPOINTED IN YOU. I CAME TO YOU A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, AND YOU HAVE DONE NOTHING FOR ME AND EVERYTHING FOR CAT PEOPLE, AND I HAVE RIGHTS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE? NO. MARY ANDREW, 23, TEN WEST BEACH DRIVE. I WASN'T PLANNING ON SPEAKING TODAY, BUT. WOW. I WAS ACQUIRING ABOUT THE HOW WHEN SOMEBODY TRAPS AN ANIMAL, THEY HAVE TO LET THE NEIGHBORS KNOW. AND I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT PROCESS WORKS. AND I WAS WONDERING IF Y'ALL COULD TELL ME HOW THEY WOULD HAVE TO LET THE NEIGHBORS KNOW, BECAUSE I HAVE A FERAL CAT THAT I FEED MY NEIGHBOR AND I BOTH FEED HER. AND IN FACT, THAT CAT PROBABLY GETS FOUR MEALS A DAY. SHE'S. WE WERE GOING TO TRAP HER. THEN WE SAW THAT SHE HAS A LITTLE CHIP ON THE EAR WHERE SHE'S ALREADY FIXED. SHE'S AMAZING CAT. I WISH I COULD ADOPT HER, BUT ONE OF MY DOGS WOULD KILL HER. SO WE PUT A. WE BOTH HAVE HEATED LITTLE PATIOS IN THE WINTER FOR HER, BUT. AND IT WOULD BE REALLY HORRIBLE IF SOMEBODY MOVED IN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND TRAPPED HER AND TURNED HER IN. SO I WAS WONDERING WHAT HOW THEY WOULD HAVE TO NOTIFY THE NEIGHBORS. AND THAT'S THAT WAS MY QUESTION. ANYWAYS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK? IF YOU'LL STAY, WE'LL GET YOU AN ANSWER. WHAT'S THAT? YOU'LL STICK AROUND. WE'LL GET YOU AN ANSWER AFTER THE MEETING. AFTER THE MEETING? OKAY. THANK [00:20:02] YOU. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE? PUBLIC COMMENT. TALKING ABOUT THE TRAPPING. TALKING ABOUT TRAPPING. MY NAME IS CAPTAIN GARY WAYNE BECK. I LIVE AT 2601 BEACH STREET. YOU KNOW ONE THING ABOUT CATS? CATS HAVE BEEN IN MAN'S LIFE FOR A LONG TIME, BUT THEY CHOOSE TO BE WITH US. THEY. YOU CAN TAKE A CAT, PUT IT ON ITS OWN, AND IT'S GOING TO SURVIVE WHETHER WE NEED IT OR NOT. ALL OF US, IF WE GOT A CAT, HAS A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH A CAT WHETHER WE WANT IT OR NOT. AND DURING THE MEANTIME, I JUST GOT A FEMALE CAT NAMED SNIT. RIGHT? I DO REALLY, REALLY HAVE A HARD TIME WITH FEMALE CATS BECAUSE THEY USUALLY GET KILLED PRETTY QUICK, BUT THIS ONE'S MANAGED TO SURVIVE INTO A TEENAGER AND SHE LIVES UP TO HER NAME. SHE IS JUST WIDE OPEN. BUT WE GOT TO REMEMBER CATS REDUCE RATS. THEY PROTECT. THEY TAKE RODENTS, THEY TAKE SNAKES. THEY TAKE. THEY'VE PLAYED A PART THROUGHOUT OUR HISTORY FROM THE BEGINNING. AND I SEE PEOPLE ALWAYS TAKING A CAT, PUTTING IT INSIDE, INSIDE OF A HOUSE AND ISOLATING IT AND NEVER LETTING IT SEE THE WORLD. THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST CRUELEST THINGS YOU COULD EVER DO TO AN ANIMAL. YOU KNOW, WE A DOG IS DEPENDENT ON US. WE DOMESTICATED A DOG, BUT A CAT, YOU KNOW, WE TAKE IT. AND SOME PEOPLE CALL THEM CRAZY CAT PEOPLE AND ALL THIS STUFF. I'VE SEEN IT TIME AND TIME AGAIN. AND FOR PEOPLE TO CUT THE GONADS OFF THESE CATS, IT'S THE SAME PEOPLE THAT CUT THE GONADS OFF THE BALLS OF THE DOGS AND STUFF LIKE THAT, BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE AND LIVE, YOU KNOW? AND LIKE I SAY, WE'VE HAD A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH CATS FOR A LONG TIME, AND I HAVE NOTHING BUT THE LOVE FOR CATS AND THE DOGS. BUT LET'S REMEMBER, YOU KNOW, WE, WE GO OVERBOARD WHEN WE TRY TO CONTROL NATURE AND WE SHOULDN'T BE DOING THAT. WE SHOULD LET CATS BE CATS. AND THAT'S IT. THANK YOU, CAPTAIN BECK. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE? HI, MY NAME IS LARISSA RAIDEN. I LIVE IN PANAMA CITY. I JUST WANTED TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW ABOUT THE CATS AND TNR THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, OUR GOVERNMENT IS NOT ONLY SPENDING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON TAXPAYER MONEY TO PROTECT THESE CATS AND TO GET THEM SPAYED AND NEUTERED AND VACCINATED. THERE ARE ALSO, YOU KNOW, ALL THESE RESCUES OUT HERE, SPAY BAYS, YOU KNOW, SPENDING THEIR TIME ON THIS STUFF. AND OTHER VETERINARIANS ARE SPENDING HUNDREDS OF HOURS DOING ALL THESE SURGERIES, AND THEY SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO BE TRAPPED. SANTA ROSA COUNTY, NEXT DOOR TO US, EVEN ADOPTED THAT THEY ARE FULLY PROTECTED ONCE. EVEN IF THEY ARE TRAPPED, YOU CAN RECEIVE UP TO A $500 FINE THAT GOES UP TO $1,000. IF YOU TRAP A TNR CAT WITH AN EAR TIP. ALSO ON THE BAY COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL SITUATION, PRETTY MUCH THE. WHAT WE'RE GETTING FROM THE PUBLIC IS THAT WE WANT NEW MANAGEMENT, BETTER HIRING, MONITORING PROTOCOLS, INSTALLATION OF SECURITY CAMERAS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE ENTIRE FACILITY, LIKE INSIDE AND OUT. WE NEED ADEQUATE KENNEL SPACES. WE NEED SOME FOR COURT CASES, ADOPTIONS, YOU KNOW, LOST AND FOUND SECTION AND, YOU KNOW, SEPARATE BUILDINGS FOR CATS HERE, DOGS HERE BECAUSE IT CAUSES A LOT OF ANIMAL STRESS WHEN THEY'RE PUT IN THE SAME ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE THE CATS HERE, DOGS BARKING DOGS HERE, CATS, AND IT'S JUST NOT GOOD FOR THEM. WE ALSO WANT TO IMPLEMENT, YOU KNOW, ADOPTION THINGS FOR BAY COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL. THEY USED TO YEARS AGO HAVE ADOPTION EVENTS NOW. THEY DON'T DO IT ANYMORE. THEY USED TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A HUGE SPACE OUT THERE. THEY COULD HAVE, YOU KNOW, A FESTIVAL AND HAVE MEET AND GREETS WITH ANIMALS, AND YOU CAN HAVE FOOD TRUCKS OUT THERE. YOU KNOW, THEY COULD HOST YEARLY EVENTS TO HELP THE COMMUNITY AND HELP THE ANIMALS. WE ALSO NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS. YOU KNOW, A LOT OF US ARE WILLING TO GO OUT THERE AND CLEAN DOG KENNELS OR CLEAN CAT LITTER, WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO TO, YOU KNOW, ALLEVIATE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS SAYING IT'S A MONEY ISSUE. WELL, THERE'S SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS THAT THE COUNTY HAS SPENT ON EUTHANASIA MEDICATION, AND YOU COULD SAVE SEVERAL MILLION WITH, YOU KNOW, NOT ALL NOT TAKING IN TNR CATS AND OTHER ANIMALS AND THEN ALLOWING US TO VOLUNTEER. THAT WOULD SAVE YOU A LOT OF MONEY. CURRENTLY, RIGHT NOW, BAY COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL DOES NOT HAVE AN ADOPTABLE ANIMAL WEBSITE. THE OTHER THING IS, IS THAT UNDER FLORIDA LAW, YOU HAVE TO THEY HAVE TO TAKE A PHOTO OF THE ANIMALS WITHIN 48 HOURS. THEY'RE NOT EVEN POSTING ANIMALS THAT THEY PICK UP. THEY NEVER THEY RARELY EVER DO. I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME. WE HAVE NO LOST AND FOUND PET PAGE, NO SOCIAL MEDIA TO ENGAGE. THEY'RE NOT SHOWCASING ANIMALS. THERE'S NO FOSTER PROGRAMS, NO STRUCTURED PROGRAMS, AND NO ADOPTION EVENTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THIS PORTION OF THE HEARING IS ABOUT THE TRAPS. SO WE ARE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER ANOTHER TIME AT THE END OF THIS MEETING [00:25:06] TO BE ABLE TO TALK ON ANY SUBJECT THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE ANIMALS. SO IF THERE'S ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE, THIS IS A PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE COME FORWARD WITH YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. I DON'T SEE ANY MORE FOR FOR THIS. SO WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION BY THE BOARD? WE HAVE A MOTION MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND WE HAVE A MOTION. AND A SECOND COULD YOU CALL THE ROLL PLEASE, MA'AM? COMMISSIONER BRADFORD. YES, MA'AM. COMMISSIONER CARROLL. YES, MA'AM. COMMISSIONER CROSBY. YES, MA'AM. COMMISSIONER MOORE. YES, MA'AM. CHAIRMAN. PEASE. YES, MA'AM. NOW WE ARE AT OUR PUBLIC [PUBLIC COMMENT (Open to any issue)] COMMENT PORTION, AND THIS WILL BE OPEN TO ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO COME TALK ABOUT. YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES. PLEASE COME FORWARD WITH YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. YES, MA'AM. MY NAME IS CAROL LANGFORD. GO AHEAD. TAKE YOUR TIME. MR. GEORGE. OKAY. I'M HERE TO SPEAK FOR THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN BAY COUNTY. YOU KNOW THAT TRAGIC FIRE THAT KILLED TWO INNOCENT CHILDREN AND THEIR GRANDPARENTS TALK WITH HER. YES, MA'AM. WE WE LIVE IN FOUNTAIN, AND WE HAD THAT HORRIBLE FIRE. WE WE NEED THAT FIREHOUSE OPEN THAT WAS OPEN YEARS OF YEARS BACK. GOD FORBID, IF THERE'S ANOTHER FIRE AND WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR FIRE TRUCKS FROM PANAMA CITY TO COME BECAUSE THEY CLOSE YOUNGSTOWN FIREHOUSE. THAT'S NOT A STORE. THAT'S A FIREHOUSE TO SAVE PEOPLE'S LIVES. WHY DO THEY CLOSE IT A FEW DAYS A WEEK? THAT MAKES NO SENSE. PLUS, THEN WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR A TANKER TO COME. THAT LITTLE FIREHOUSE IN FOUNTAIN HAD FIRE TRUCKS, TANKER AND ALL. WHERE DID IT ALL GO? I SIT UP TILL 4:00 IN THE MORNING, AFRAID TO SLEEP AT NIGHT. NOW, GOD FORBID, IF THERE'S A FIRE, HOW AM I GETTING MY FAMILY OUT? IF WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR PANAMA CITY? AND IT WAS NOT THAT FIREMAN'S FAULT. THEY WERE IN A SPOT WHERE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO HELP THEM. PEOPLE. DO YOU KNOW THEM? PEOPLE WERE IN THAT HOUSE. THEM KIDS SCREAMING, HELP! PLEASE GET ME OUT! THAT IS HORRIBLE. GOD FORBID THERE'S A FIRE AND I CAN'T GET MY FAMILY OUT. THEN WHAT? WE NEED HELP UP THERE. WE PAY OUR TAXES. WHAT DO WE GET? NOTHING. NOTHING. DO WE GET UP IN NORTHERN BAY COUNTY? AND THAT ISN'T RIGHT. WE LOSE FOUR LIVES. THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. THEY WERE VERY CLOSE TO 231. THE FIRE TRUCKS COULD HAVE GOTTEN THERE VERY EASILY. THE AMOUNT OF TIME. AND TO GET THE WATER AND EVERYTHING THERE, WE LOST FOUR LIVES. THAT WAS NOT NECESSARY. THERE WAS NO REASON WE PAY TAXES FOR FIRE. WHY DO WE NOT HAVE THE EQUIPMENT? WHY DO WE NOT HAVE ANY HELP? I MEAN, THERE'S WE LOOKED AND THERE'S ABOUT CLOSE AND I MIGHT BE OFF A LITTLE BIT ABOUT 5000 PEOPLE LIVING IN FOUNTAIN, BUT WE'RE NORTH FLORIDA. I MEAN, WE'RE NORTH BAY COUNTY. WE DON'T EXIST. AND THERE'S NO REASON FOR THIS. I MEAN, WE PAY OUR TAXES. WE JUST DON'T, YOU KNOW, MAKE WAVES. BUT THERE'S NO REASON THAT WE DON'T HAVE FIRE PROTECTION IN NORTH BAY COUNTY. AMEN. WE'RE OUT OF TIME. LET'S GO. THANK YOU. KEVIN. MADAM CHAIR MEMBERS. MICHAEL STEIN KERSHNER, 5418. PINE TREE ON THE ISLAND. I'M GOING TO DO SOMEWHAT OF A PIGGYBACK OFF OF THE KIND LADY IN HER COMMENTS. THIS COUNTY HAS SPENT MORE TIME AND ATTENTION AND FAILED AT REGULATING SHORT TERM RENTALS THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE UNITED STATES. THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT'S COLLECTED IN THAT PROGRAM, EVEN IF. AND I'LL GIVE YOU THE MONEY, GRAB PART OF IT, I'LL GIVE IT TO YOU, DIVERT IT TO ACTUAL MANPOWER AND RESOURCES. I DON'T KNOW IF THE CHIEF'S HERE, BUT I WAS MADE PRIVY TO AN EMAIL THAT'S BEEN CIRCULATING INSIDE EMERGENCY SERVICES. THERE ARE FIRE OFFICERS THAT DON'T HAVE SCBAS ON THEIR APPARATUS. MOST OF THE APPARATUS ARE OVER 20 YEARS OLD, WHICH IS PROBABLY WHY A LOT OF [00:30:06] THESE APPARATUS AREN'T AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THERE'S NOT BEEN ENOUGH FUNDS THAT HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED FOR IT. I WILL BE POSTING AND REQUESTING THAT EMAIL. SO YOU GUYS KNOW YOU HAVE FIRE OFFICERS OUT THERE THAT DON'T HAVE SCOTT PACKS ON THEIR RIGS. THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE, YOU KNOW, AND FOR THESE FOLKS IN FOUNTAIN TO HAVE TO DO THIS, WE SAW THE RESPONSE THAT WAS NEEDED JUST TO HIT THE JAWS FIRE. WE HAD MULTIPLE AGENCIES. WE HAD NAVY FIRE, WE HAD PANAMA CITY BEACH. I DON'T KNOW IF PANAMA CITY ACTUALLY RESPONDED, BUT THERE HAD TO BE JUST FOR THAT ONE FIRE. AND, AND I BELIEVE THE BUDGET THAT WAS ACTUALLY AMENDMENT THAT WAS PUT IN THERE, THERE'S $1 MILLION GOING TO PUT FIBER TO RUN FIBER TO THE THOMAS DRIVE FIRE STATION. QUOTE ME IF I'M WRONG ON THAT, BUT I SAW IT ON THE LINE ITEM. THAT GOES A LOT, A LONG WAY TO PUTTING APPARATUS ON THE STREET. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO SPEAK. THIS IS PUBLIC COMMENTS OPEN TO ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT. I GOT ONE MORE THING I'D LIKE TO SAY. ALL RIGHT. OKAY. BARBARA HOLCOMB 2724 SOUTH PLEASANT OAK COURT. AS OF A STUDY DONE LAST YEAR, THERE ARE 15.3 MILLION OUTDOOR, INDOOR OWNED AND UNOWNED CATS IN FLORIDA ALONE, 4.3 ARE OWNED, 11.5 MILLION ARE UNOWNED, WITH ONLY 91 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS. DO YOU DO YOU SEE WHERE THIS IS GOING? WE ARE OUT POPULATING THE HOUSEHOLDS BY ALLOWING THESE CATS TO ROAM AROUND. ALL UNOWNED FERAL STRAYS SHOULD BE HUMANELY EUTHANIZED TO RESTORE THE BALANCE TO AN ECOSYSTEM THAT WE LOST WITH MICHAEL. AND OUR ECOSYSTEM IS NOT BEING RESTORED, ALLOWING THIS MANY CATS TO ROAM FREELY. WE NEED TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO GET OUR ECOSYSTEM BACK TO A MANAGEABLE LEVEL. ALL CATS CAN'T BE SAVED OR DOGS, AND THE MONIES DONATED AND SPENT ON SIX SICK, DISEASED ANIMALS THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTY COULD BE USED TO HELP OTHER AREAS LIKE RESCUES AND ANIMAL CONTROL. YOU HAVE PEOPLE WASTING MONEY ON A CAT THAT'S GOT TWO BROKEN LEGS, AND THEY'RE GOING TO GO HAVE IT FIXED, AND THESE POOR PEOPLE ARE DONATING WHEN THAT CAT SHOULD BE HUMANELY EUTHANIZED. WHAT KIND OF QUALITY OF LIFE DOES THAT ANIMAL HAVE? THAT MUCH? OR THEY'RE HAVING TO CUT THEIR LIMB OFF AND THEY'RE WALKING AROUND WITH THREE LEGS. I UNDERSTAND THEY'RE VIABLE AND THEY CAN LIVE LIKE THAT. BUT THAT'S NOT HOW IT SHOULD BE. WE HAVE TOURISTS COMING HERE AND I SEE THE POSTS ONLINE OF CATS RUNNING ALL OVER THESE CONDOS AND ALL OVER THESE PLACES. THESE CATS GET TREATED ONCE WHEN THEY'RE ENTERED WITH A RABIES SHOT, AND MAYBE THEY GET VETTED FOR DISEASES. BUT I DOUBT THAT BECAUSE THAT RUNS INTO THE MONEY THE RESCUES HAVE TO SPEND. WE'RE OVERPOPULATED. AND WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH? YOUR FIRST PRIORITY IS THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS, NOT TO CATS WHO DON'T PAY TAXES. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK? YES, MA'AM. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU. MY NAME IS DANITA MCCARTY. I LIVE AT 1637 NASSAU STREET. I AM HERE TODAY BECAUSE I LOVE ANIMALS, AND I WANT YOU TO THINK FOR A MOMENT WHEN AN ANIMAL REALLY IS NOT A PIECE OF PROPERTY, A NUMBER, OR A PROBLEM TO BE DISPOSED OF. THEY ARE LIVING, BREATHING BEINGS WHO, LIKE US, FEEL FEAR, PAIN, LONELINESS AND LOVE. FOR MANY OF US, THEY ARE OUR ONLY FAMILY. THEY ARE THE ONES WAITING AT THE DOOR. WHEN WE ARRIVE HOME, THEY SIT BESIDE US. WHEN WE'RE SICK, THEY CHEER US. WHEN WE'RE SAD, THEY MAKE US LAUGH. WHEN WE DON'T FEEL LIKE IT. THEY SLEEP BESIDE US AT NIGHT AND SOMEHOW MAKE A HOUSE FEEL LIKE A HOME. THEY GIVE US THEIR ENTIRE HEARTS AND ASK FOR NOTHING IN RETURN. OUR PETS ARE OUR COMPANIONS, OUR HORSES, POULTRY, AND EVERY ANIMAL THAT WE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MATTERS. SOME OF US CALL THEM OUR BEST FRIENDS. TO SOME THEY ARE OUR BABIES, SOME OF US SOUL MATES, BUT OFTEN GIVE US A REASON FOR BEING. BUT WHATEVER NAME WE GIVE THEM, THEY DEPEND [00:35:06] ON US. AND. WHEN AN ANIMAL IS PLACED IN AN ANIMAL CONTROL FACILITY, THEY LOSE THEIR VOICE. THEY CANNOT DEFEND THEMSELVES IN ANY WAY. IT DEPENDS ON THE PEOPLE AT THE FACILITY CARING FOR IT. THAT IS WHY WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE THE FACILITY MATTERS SO MUCH. WHEN THERE ARE ALLEGATIONS AND EVIDENCE OF ABUSE. AND MISTREATMENT ARE TRUE. WE CAN NO LONGER TAKE LOOK THE OTHER WAY. WE CANNOT ALLOW ANOTHER ANIMAL TO SUFFER AND BE HARMED. THE ANIMALS WE LOVE DESERVE BETTER. THE CARETAKERS AT OUR ANIMAL CONTROL OBVIOUSLY DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS. IT IS A POSITION THAT DEMANDS CARING AND TRUST. I AM ASKING TODAY TO PLEASE LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE DEMANDING ACCOUNTABILITY. IF PEOPLE HAVE ABUSED OR NEGLECTED ANIMALS, THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE HAVING AUTHORITY OVER THEM. I AM ASKING YOU TO INVESTIGATE THOROUGHLY, HOLD THESE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE AND PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE, AND PLEASE MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES TO ENSURE THAT THIS NEVER HAPPENS TO OUR LOVED ONES AGAIN. AS I CONCLUDE TO AN ANIMAL MAY BE A CASE NUMBER, SOMEONE ELSE, THEIR WHOLE WORLD. PLEASE FOR THE ANIMALS OF BAY COUNTY, BE THEIR VOICE. PLEASE STAND UP FOR THEM. WE WOULD BE GLAD TO ORGANIZE A COMMUNITY A A GROUP TO HELP YOU REVISE THE ANIMAL CONTROL SITUATIONS HERE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE COMMISSIONERS WHO CAME OUT AND SPOKE WITH US LAST NIGHT. WE TRULY APPRECIATE YOU AND PLEASE HELP OUR ANIMALS, OUR LOVED ONES, OUR BABIES IN BAY COUNTY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING. YES, MA'AM. HEY. MARY ANN, MARY ANDREW, 23, TEN WEST BEACH DRIVE. I HAD A QUESTION EARLIER I WASN'T QUITE SURE ABOUT, IS ABOUT HOW THEY HAVE TO TRAP. THEY HAVE TO NOTIFY THE SOMEBODY TRAPPING, HOW THEY HAVE TO NOTIFY THE NEIGHBORS, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD A CAT THAT WE SHARE BETWEEN A COUPLE NEIGHBORS AND, AND TAKE CARE OF. AND SHE'S A FERAL CAT. AND BUT THAT THAT IS A QUESTION I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS IS HOW THEY HAVE TO BE NOTIFIED. BUT ONTO. AND I WANT TO THANK ALL THE PEOPLE THAT CAME TO CLAIRE AND, AND JOEL AND. YEAH, THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR COMING LAST YESTERDAY. THAT MEANT SO MUCH TO US. AND IT REALLY SHOWS YOUR DEDICATION AND THAT YOU'RE, YOU TRULY FIND WHAT HAPPENED IN BAY ANIMAL CONTROL HORRENDOUS AND THAT YOU'RE. AND YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE CHANGES. AND I SO APPRECIATE THAT. AND I BELIEVE IN YOU GUYS AND I BELIEVE YOU ALL WILL DO IT. AND I BELIEVE YOU WILL MAKE CHANGES AND AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO, TO SEEING WHAT YOU ALL CAN DO. AND I THINK THAT'S ABOUT IT. I HAD SOMETHING WRITTEN DOWN, BUT I DON'T THINK I REALLY HAVE TIME FOR IT. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK? CAROL 123422 TRAIL ROAD FOUNTAIN. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ASK, CAN YOU PLEASE HELP US TO OPEN THAT FIRE HOUSE TO SAVE LIVES? THAT'S ALL WE WANT. WE COULDN'T DO THIS AGAIN. IT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE GET WHAT WE DESERVE TO. PANAMA CITY GETS IT. PANAMA CITY BEACH GETS IT. NORTHERN BAY COUNTY NOTHING. AND IT'S IT'S VERY DEVASTATING. AND THIS WASN'T EVEN MY IMMEDIATELY FAMILY AND SO MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE DEVASTATED THAT LITTLE FIREHOUSE. IT DOESN'T NEED MUCH TO OPEN TWO FIRE TRUCKS. THEY SAY THE AIR CONDITIONING AND PLUMBING DON'T WORK. I'M SURE PEOPLE CAN FIX THAT TOO. WE JUST WANT TO LIVE IN SAFETY FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FAMILIES. THAT'S ALL WE'RE ASKING. I DON'T THINK THAT'S TOO MUCH TO ASK TO SAVE LIVES. LIVES ARE VERY IMPORTANT. THANK [00:40:01] YOU. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK? YES, MA'AM. COME ON. I CAN'T CONTROL MYSELF. HI. MY NAME IS LARISSA. PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA, UNDER THE FLORIDA STATUTE 828.12. IT EXPLAINS CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE TRAPPED ANIMALS HAVE NOT EVEN BEEN CHARGED WITH CRUELTY. SOME HAVE TRAPPED DURING SEVERE WEATHER. THEY COME INTO THE ANIMAL CONTROL SOAKING WET, OR THEY ARE INJURED TRYING TO FIGHT. YOU KNOW, THEY GET HURT TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE TRAPS. AND THERE ARE FINES AND PENALTIES THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CAN ENFORCE AND THAT YOU GUYS CAN ENFORCE ON ANIMAL CONTROL, BECAUSE ANIMAL CONTROL IS ONLY ABILITY IS TO FILE, YOU KNOW, LIKE WRITE A CIVIL CITATION. AND BUT POLICE CAN ACTUALLY BE CALLED, YOU KNOW, TO SEVERAL ISSUES. LIKE IF A CAT IS, YOU KNOW, SERIOUSLY IN DANGER, A LOT OF POLICE OFFICERS, WE CALL THEM FOR ASSISTANCE. AND THEY SAID, OH, WELL, WE GOT, WE HAVE TO CALL ANIMAL CONTROL. AND I'M LIKE, WHY? BECAUSE IN THE FLORIDA STATUTE, IT TELLS YOU THAT ANIMAL CONTROL CAN BE PRESENT, BUT POLICE CAN RESPOND IMMEDIATELY. AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, THE PUBLIC, WE'RE STILL ASKING THAT ALL EMPLOYEES THAT WERE AWARE OF THE ABUSE FOR MULTIPLE YEARS ALLEGEDLY DID NOT REPORT IT. YOU KNOW, IF THEY DID NOT REPORT IT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OR DO YOU GUYS, YOU KNOW, THEY NEED WE WANT A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION. WE WANT EVERYBODY, YOU KNOW, SPLIT APART, FIND OUT WHO DID WHAT AND WHO DID WHO, YOU KNOW, TO WHAT ANIMALS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, ALLEGEDLY THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SO MANY YEARS. WE JUST WANT MORE ACCOUNTABILITY. SO MAYBE THAT WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, MAYBE MORE REMOVAL OF MORE EMPLOYEES OR MORE CHARGES FOR SOME OF THE EMPLOYEES. AND I'VE ALSO SENT YOU GUYS AN EMAIL, WHICH YOU'LL GET AFTER THE MEETING, SHOWING YOU ALL THE SCREENSHOTS THAT SOME OF THE ANIMAL CONTROL PEOPLE LIKE TO SAY ABOUT ANIMALS ONLINE. AND IF THEY HATE ANIMALS SO MUCH, THEY DO NOT NEED TO BE WORKING IN THAT FACILITY BECAUSE SOME ARE STILL CURRENTLY EMPLOYED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO GET UP AND SAY ONE MORE THING HERE, MA'AM, YOU'VE ALREADY SPOKEN. YOU'VE ALREADY SPOKEN UNDER PUBLIC COMMENT. OH REALLY? YES, BECAUSE SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN UP HERE MORE THAN ONCE. I'LL LET THEM SPEAK BECAUSE THEY SPOKE TOGETHER. SO I GAVE THEM A TOTAL OF SIX MINUTES BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM. SO THANK YOU. WOULD ANYONE ELSE THAT HAS NOT ALREADY SPOKEN LIKE TO SPEAK? MR. BECK, I THINK YOU'VE ALREADY SPOKEN ALSO. THANK YOU. ABOUT SOMETHING DIFFERENT. NO, SIR. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT YOU'VE ALREADY SPOKEN UNDER PUBLIC COMMENT AND YOU'VE ALREADY SPOKEN TWICE, SO THANK YOU. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK? YOU'VE ALREADY SPOKEN UNDER PUBLIC COMMENT, SIR. THANK YOU. THE LAST PUBLIC COMMENT. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK? PLEASE SIT DOWN, MR. BECK. WHAT DO YOU MEAN? I'M NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK AT THE PUBLIC COMMENT. YOU SPOKE AT PUBLIC COMMENT. YOU GAVE YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT EARLY TO BEGIN WITH ON THE AGENDA COMMENTS. I ALLOWED YOU TO CONTINUE SPEAKING YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT UNDER THE FIRST COMMENT. PLEASE HAVE A SEAT. BUT THIS IS A THIS IS DIFFERENT. MR. BECK, PLEASE HAVE A SEAT. THANK YOU. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK? ALL RIGHT. COUNTY ATTORNEY'S REPORT. NO [COUNTY MANAGER REPORT] REPORT. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT. I'VE GOT 2 OR 3 ITEMS, AND I WOULD ASK FOR SOME PATIENCE WHILE I GO THROUGH THE FIRST. I'VE GOT A LETTER I'D LIKE TO READ. DON'T USUALLY DO THAT, BUT I'D LIKE TO READ THIS LETTER. THIS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA THIS AFTERNOON, BUT IT ADDRESSES THE ANIMAL CONTROL ISSUE. AND TO THE RESIDENTS OF BAY COUNTY, I'M HORRIFIED BY THE ALLEGATIONS THAT THE INDIVIDUAL IS NO LONGER AT. A COUNTY EMPLOYEE ACTED IN SUCH A GROTESQUE MANNER WHILE ENTRUSTED WITH THE CARE OF ANIMALS. THE RESPONSIBILITY DEMANDS THE HUMANE AND DIGNIFIED TREATMENT OF EVERY ANIMAL, AND THE BEHAVIOR ALLEGED REPRESENTS A PROFOUND BETRAYAL OF THAT TRUST. WHEN COUNTY LEADERSHIP LEARNED OF THE ALLEGATIONS, OUR FIRST CALL WAS TO BAY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO REQUEST A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN INVESTIGATING THE ALLEGATIONS IN. THE FORMER EMPLOYEE WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH ONE FELONY AND TWO MISDEMEANOR COUNTS OF ANIMAL CRUELTY. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ALSO INTERVIEWED EVERY ANIMAL CONTROL EMPLOYEE TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE AND TIMING OF ANY POTENTIAL ABUSE. THE INFORMATION DEVELOPED TO DATE INDICATES THE ALLEGED CONDUCT OCCURRED OVER A PERIOD OF A FEW MONTHS, NOT YEARS. THAT DISTINCTION DOES NOT LESSEN THE SERIOUSNESS OF ANY INCIDENT. THAT DISTINCTION DOES NOT LESSEN THE SERIOUSNESS OF ANY INCIDENT. EVEN ONE INCIDENT IS UNACCEPTABLE, AND ANY CONCERN ABOUT MISTREATMENT MUST BE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY. IN RESPONSE, THE COUNTY IS EVALUATING ANIMAL CONTROL'S WORKPLACE CULTURE, REPORTING PRACTICES, SUPERVISION AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE. [00:45:01] EMPLOYEES WILL RECEIVE CLEAR GUIDANCE REGARDING THEIR DUTY TO REPORT UNETHICAL OR IMPROPER CONDUCT IMMEDIATELY. THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE REPORTING CHANNELS, INCLUDING THOSE OUTSIDE THE NORMAL CHAIN OF COMMAND AND PROTECTION FROM RETALIATION. THE REVIEW WILL BE PROMPT, FAIR AND BASED ON VERIFIED FACTS. THE COUNTY WILL TAKE ANY CORRECT, CORRECTIVE OR PERSONAL ACTION WARRANTED AND MAKE STRUCTURAL CHANGES, INCLUDING REORGANIZATION, AS NEEDED. COUNTY ADMINISTRATION WILL ALSO WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ON A COMPREHENSIVE MISCONDUCT REPORTING POLICY FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE BOARD. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, ANIMAL CONTROL WAS ALREADY IMPLEMENTING SUBSTANTIAL OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS. THAT WORK WILL CONTINUE AND BE STRENGTHENED BASED ON THE REVIEW. THESE EFFORTS INCLUDE ENHANCED SUPERVISION, DOCUMENTATION, ACCOUNTABILITY, STAFFING, CROSS TRAINING, COMPLIANCE REVIEWS, REFRESHER TRAINING, COMMUNICATION, AND OUTSIDE PROFESSIONAL EVALUATION. WHERE APPROPRIATE, A QUALIFIED SECURITY PROFESSIONAL WILL ASSESS THE FACILITY, INCLUDING CAMERA COVERAGE, AND RECOMMEND ANY NECESSARY PHYSICAL, TECHNOLOGICAL OR PROCEDURAL IMPROVEMENTS. COMMUNITY INITIATIVES THAT WERE ALREADY UNDERWAY INCLUDE EXPANSION OF THE MICROCHIP SCANNING PROGRAM TO ADDITIONAL FIRE STATIONS. THEY'RE ALREADY IN AT LEAST TWO CONTINUATION OF THE SPAY BAY PARTNERSHIP. OUR LIVE RELEASE RATE HAS ALMOST DOUBLED ON CERTAIN MONTHS OR ON MONTHS THAT WE'VE BEEN PARTNERING WITH THE COMMUNITY. AS FAR AS SPAY BAY, WE'VE STARTED THAT BACK A MONTH AND A HALF AGO. MORE ADOPTION IN MEDIA EVENTS. THOSE HAVE BEEN INCREASING EXPANSION OF FOSTER AND RESCUE PARTNERSHIPS AND REESTABLISHMENT OF THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM WITH APPROPRIATE SAFEGUARDS. WE HAVE APPLICATIONS FOR ANYONE THAT IS WILLING TO VOLUNTEER. THOSE ARE AVAILABLE AND THE CREATION OF SOCIAL MEDIA DEDICATED SOCIAL MEDIA TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AND HIGHLIGHT ANIMALS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION. THERE IS A AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF THE ANIMALS THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION. WE WILL MAKE THAT MORE READILY APPARENT WITH ITS OWN META PAGE. AND AS WE SAW TODAY IN LAST MEETING, ADDITIONAL OVERSIGHT TO MAKE SURE TRAPPING IS IS HUMANE. THE PUBLIC DESERVES CLEAR INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACTIONS TAKEN IN RESPONSE TO THIS EVENT AND THE PROGRESS OF INITIATIVES ALREADY UNDERWAY. WE WILL PROVIDE UPDATES ON BOTH AS VERIFIED INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE IN THE WORK MOVES FORWARD, WE CANNOT UNDO THE HARM DESCRIBED IN THESE ALLEGATIONS. WE CAN RESPOND DECISIVELY. ACT ON VERIFIED FACTS, CONTINUE THE IMPROVEMENTS ALREADY UNDERWAY, AND CREATE A CULTURE IN WHICH EMPLOYEES SPEAK UP IMMEDIATELY WHEN SOMETHING IS WRONG. BAY COUNTY EXPECTS EVERY ANIMAL IN ITS CARE TO BE TREATED HUMANELY, AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO REINFORCING THAT STANDARD THROUGH OUR POLICIES, SUPERVISION, CULTURE AND DAILY OPERATIONS. THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHARES MY DISGUST AT THE CONDUCT ALLEGED AND HAS DIRECTED IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS AND ACCELERATION OF THE IMPROVEMENTS OF THE INITIATIVES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN UNDERWAY FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS. WORDS DON'T SOLVE PROBLEMS. ACTIONS DO. THOSE ACTIONS ARE ALREADY UNDERWAY. THEY'RE ALREADY ACTIONS REGARDING OUR INITIATIVES TO TO MAKE ALL THE IMPROVEMENTS I SPOKE OF. AND WE WILL ENSURE THAT THIS INCIDENT WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN. AND IF IT DOES, IF IT DOES, IT WILL BE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY. THAT'S A CULTURE ISSUE, AND WE ARE TAKING IMMEDIATE STEPS TO ADDRESS THAT AS WELL. AGAIN, THIS THIS INFORMATION AND I REMAIN AVAILABLE TO MEET OR TALK ON THE PHONE. I'VE EXTENDED THAT OFFER IN PERSON TO SEVERAL OF YOU, REGARDLESS OF WHAT SIDE OF THIS SITUATION YOU'RE ON, AND I WILL MEET AND SPEAK WITH YOU. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT ANIMAL CONTROL. MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU ALL. I WENT THAT MORNING AS WELL. I ACTUALLY TIMED THE FROM OUR STATION, WHICH IS MANNED 24 OVER SEVEN, AND OUR RESPONSE WAS AS GOOD AS IT COULD POSSIBLY BE FROM THAT STATION THAT IS MANNED 24 OVER SEVEN. I WILL SAY THIS. WE HAVE WHAT WE'RE CALLING THE NORTHERN RESILIENCY CENTER. YOU'VE SEEN THE CONSTRUCTION ON HIGHWAY 20. THAT'S ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AWAY FROM WHERE THIS TRAGEDY OCCURRED. THAT WILL BE OPEN BY THE END OF THE YEAR, AND THAT WILL HAVE THE APPARATUSES AS WELL. I BELIEVE THE STATION YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS A VOLUNTEER STATION THAT HASN'T BEEN RUNNING FOR A LONG, LONG TIME. BUT FOR HURRICANE MICHAEL, WE WOULDN'T HAVE NOT HAD THE FUNDS. THAT'S A $12 MILLION IMPROVEMENT OUT THERE ON HIGHWAY 20 FOR THE NORTHERN PART OF THE COUNTY. PART OF THAT IS THE FIRE STATION. IT WILL BE MANNED, IT WILL HAVE AN AMBULANCE, AND IT WILL HAVE A TANKER. BUT I WILL BE HAPPY TO TALK TO YOU AFTER THE MEETING. THE THE THE ONLY OTHER THING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION IS THIS IS, I GUESS FOR LACK OF A BETTER WAY TO SAY IT, A HISTORIC WEEK FOR HURRICANE SEASON. AS FAR AS BAY COUNTY [00:50:03] AND THE LAST 30 YEARS, WE'VE HAD TWO STORMS THAT HAVE DEVASTATED BAY COUNTY IN THE LAST 30 YEARS. THIS PARTICULAR WEEK, THERE'S ANOTHER ONE DOWN CLOSE TO THE BAY OF CAMPECHE. IT SHOULD BE HERE BY THIS WEEKEND. IT LOOKS LIKE A RAIN EVENT AT THIS POINT. WE SHOULD REMAIN DILIGENT. SIGN UP FOR ALERT BAY. BE PREPARED. FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA. AT THIS POINT IT LOOKS LIKE A RAIN EVENT, BUT WE WILL BE KEEPING THE PUBLIC UPDATED ON THAT AND STAFF HAS ALREADY MADE PREPARATION. WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU. [CHAIRMAN & COMMISSIONER COMMENTS] WE'LL START WITH CHAIRMAN AND COMMISSIONER COMMENTS. RAFAEL. WELL, JOEL SAID SO MUCH. HE SAID EVERYTHING I WANTED TO SAY WITH THE ONLY THING HE DIDN'T SAY IS MONSTER. AND THAT'S WHAT I CALL THE INDIVIDUAL THAT COMMITTED THESE CRIMES. AND HE IS BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE. JOEL, MYSELF, CLAIRE WENT TO FIRST APPEARANCE. I WISH I'D HAVE BEEN A JUDGE. HE MIGHT NOT HAVE GOT ANY BAIL. HE WOULDN'T HAVE GOT ANY BAIL. BUT NONETHELESS, THIS STAFF AND THIS BOARD IS WORKING DILIGENTLY TO MAKE SURE THAT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. WE ALL ON THIS BOARD ARE ANIMAL LOVERS. I HAVE TWO DOGS WHO HAVE THEIR OWN BEDROOM. IT'S KIND OF ODD. YOU COME TO MY HOUSE, MY DOGS HAVE THEIR OWN ROOM. THERE ARE LIKE OUR CHILDREN. MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU. THIS BOARD HAS WORKED REALLY HARD AND TRIED TO MAKE SURE YOU GUYS GET THE SERVICE THAT YOU GUYS DESERVE. ON HIGHWAY 20, WE ARE PUTTING A HUGE AMOUNT OF RESOURCES IN BUILDING A NEW FACILITY. WE HAVE THE 231 FIREHOUSE THAT IS STAFFED 24 OVER SEVEN. AND AGAIN, THE FIREHOUSE THAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO IS A VOLUNTEER FIREHOUSE, AND WE ARE WORKING HARD AND GETTING OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM BACK UP AND RUNNING. SO MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU, AND I WILL STICK AFTER THE MEETING AND COME TALK TO YOU AND ANYBODY ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME SPEAK TO ME. I'LL BE HERE. I ALSO WANT TO THANK ROAD AND BRIDGES FOR THE GREAT JOB THEY DID LAST NIGHT ON PINE LOG. WE HAD A ROAD WASH OUT DUE TO ALL THE RAIN. THOSE GUYS HAD THAT UP AND GOING IN SHORT ORDER, WHICH IS HUGE. THEY DID A GREAT JOB. I WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE, TO JOEL'S POINT, IT IS HURRICANE SEASON. WE DO HAVE AN EVENT THAT IS IN THE GULF OF AMERICA. KEEP YOUR EYES OUT FOR THAT. IF YOU HAVEN'T SIGNED UP FOR ALERT BAY, PLEASE DO SO. THAT IS OUR WAY OF GETTING OUT AND TOUCH WITH YOU GUYS AND LETTING YOU KNOW WHAT'S COMING OUR WAY. HAD A CHANCE YESTERDAY. IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK. HAD A CHANCE YESTERDAY TO GO OUT AND HANG OUT WITH THE GUYS. I WON'T CALL IT A PROTEST. IT WAS MORE OF A COMMUNITY EVENT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO COME OUT AND SPEAK TO YOU GUYS, BUT ALSO TOO, I WILL BE. AFTER THE MEETING, I'LL BE PASSING OUT VOLUNTEER PACKETS FOR OUR ANIMAL SHELTER. WE NEED YOUR HELP. THIS IS A COMMUNITY EVENT. THIS IS A THIS. THIS SHOULD BE AN EFFORT BETWEEN ALL OF US, RIGHT? SO I'LL BE IN THE BACK PASSING THESE OUT, WRITING YOUR NAMES DOWN. EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE INVOLVED. THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY. OKAY? THAT'S ALL I HAVE, CHAIRMAN. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. CAROL. YES, MA'AM. TEACH ME TO SHARE MY NOTES WITH JOEL AND RAPHAEL BEFORE MEETINGS, BECAUSE THEY HAVE SAID EVERYTHING I HAVE ON MY PAPER. I'M JOKING. THAT WAS. SEVERAL THINGS TODAY. MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU AS WELL. WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN. THERE'S A NEW FIRE STATION BEING BUILT ON 388, ANOTHER ONE THERE ON HIGHWAY 20. THE TDC HAS HELPED US WITH FUNDING TO WHERE WE'RE BUYING A LOT OF APPARATUSES, 12 TO $14 MILLION WORTH OF FIRE EQUIPMENT THAT HAS BEEN ORDERED. WE HAD ONE KIND OF ORDER WHEN CHIEF PUGH CAME ON BOARD. HE SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT? I THINK WE OUGHT TO DO THIS. HE CHANGED THE ORDER UP A LITTLE BIT TO EVALUATE WHAT'S THE BEST NEED FOR ALL THE COUNTY. SO THOSE HAVE BEEN ORDERED. THOSE ARE COMMITTED. SO WE HAVE MORE RESOURCES COMING. COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND. THE TRAGEDY LAST WEEK AT ANIMAL CONTROL. IT WAS AWFUL. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US ARE ANIMAL LOVERS. A YEAR AGO WE ALREADY HAD TWO DOGS. MY DAUGHTER HAD ANOTHER DOG. MY NEIGHBOR PASSED AWAY. HE HAD A BEAUTIFUL DOG AND WE DID NOT NEED ANOTHER DOG. BUT WE TOOK THAT DOG IN BECAUSE HE NEEDED A HOME. THAT HAS BECOME MY DOG RIP. I HAVE BONDED SO MUCH WITH THAT DOG. I EVEN HAVE SOCKS WITH THIS PICTURE ON IT THAT MY WIFE GOT ME. THAT DOG HAS BEEN WITH ME TO VOTE. HE GOES EVERYWHERE WITH ME. EVERYBODY UP HERE KNOWS RIP. RIP GOES EVERYWHERE, MAN. HE. I WILL LEAVE THIS MEETING. GO HOME AND GO GET HIM AND TAKE HIM TO WORK. THAT'S HOW MUCH ANIMALS MEAN TO EVERY ONE OF US. WE HAVE A CAT, THREE DOGS. I MEAN IT JUST THAT. THAT IS JUST. I CAN'T EXPLAIN THE TRAGEDY OF WHAT THAT FEELING WAS. THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN UNDER THIS WATCH. JOEL QUICKLY DEALT WITH THAT SITUATION WITH THE 24 HOUR PERIOD. HE WAS INVESTIGATED, TERMINATED AND IN JAIL. THAT'S PRETTY QUICK ACTION. IF WE'D HAVE KNOWN ABOUT IT MORE, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN EIGHT HOURS. BUT WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'VE DONE. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THIS WILL BE DEALT WITH. AND THEY ARE GOING THROUGH EVERYTHING OUT THERE. IT'S AWFUL. VOLUNTEERS. DANIEL SAID IT PERFECTLY. WE HAVE THESE APPLICATIONS, YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT'S PTO IN SCHOOLS, BEACH CLEANUP, YOUTH [00:55:01] SPORTS LIBRARY, ANIMAL CONTROL. WE ALL HAVE A PASSION. I COACH FOR TEN YEARS, COACH SOCCER FOR MY GIRLS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY NEEDED. I NEVER PLAYED SOCCER. I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. BUT THAT'S WHAT WE DID. MY WIFE DOES PTO AT MOSLEY RIGHT NOW. WE ALL HAVE A PASSION. LET'S PUT THAT PASSION TO WORK. LET'S ALL VOLUNTEER. LET'S LET'S HELP OUT. WE GO TO OTHER TOWNS AND COMMUNITIES AND THEY HAVE ALL THESE ORGANIZATIONS WITH ADOPTED PETS. YOU GO TO DOWNTOWN BLUE RIDGE, THERE'S ALWAYS A CORNER THERE AND THERE'S ALWAYS ANIMALS THERE. IT'S BECAUSE THE VOLUNTEERS COME TOGETHER. WE HAVE TO VOLUNTEER. WE HAVE TO MAKE TIME TO DO THIS. SO FILL OUT THESE FORMS. IF IT'S AN HOUR A WEEK, IF IT'S 30 MINUTES, THAT'S 30 MORE MINUTES THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCE FOR. SO IT'D BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. AND THE LAST THING THE ROADS AND BRIDGES, PINE LOG, WE COULD HAVE LOST THAT WHOLE ROAD. OUR COUNTY STAFF WENT OUT THERE QUICKLY, FILLED THAT IN, DID A TEMPORARY FIX, AND JUST KUDOS TO THOSE GUYS. SO THANK THEM ALL. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER MOORE. YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU. IN GOING THROUGH THIS, YOU KNOW I'VE I'VE GOT I WAS TEASED ON THE WAY DOWN HERE HOW MANY MEETINGS I'VE GOT BECAUSE I'M I'M OUT AT THE AT THE I'VE GOT TWO MORE MEETINGS. BUT ONE OF THE THING IN THE SIX YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE IS WHETHER IT'S BEEN FINANCIALLY RELATED OR IT'S BEEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS, SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED AND THE COMMUNITY IS RIGHTFULLY UPSET ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON, BOTH TO WHAT YOU WERE SPEAKING ABOUT AND TO WHAT Y'ALL ARE SPEAKING ABOUT WITH ANIMALS. BOTH SIDES HAVE VALID STANDPOINTS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU ALL RIGHT NOW TO APPRECIATE IS WE NEED TO GO ON WHAT THE FACTS ARE, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE METHODICAL IN WHAT WE'RE DOING. THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE'RE NOT DOING THE JOB. IT MEANS IT NEEDS TO BE BASED ON FACTS, AND IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE BASED ON EMOTIONS. WHEN I FIRST GOT IN HERE, ONE OF THE THINGS AND ONE OF MY PRIOR JOBS FERRETED OUT SOMEBODY THAT EMBEZZLED $1 MILLION FROM THE CITY OF PANAMA CITY AND FROM AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAMS, YOU KNOW, WE'VE WE'VE HAD OTHER ISSUES. LET LAW ENFORCEMENT DO THEIR JOB, LET THE DISTRICT OR THE STATE'S ATTORNEY, I SHOULD SAY, DO THEIR JOB. AND WE ARE WORKING THROUGH. I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH JOEL OVER THE WEEKEND HERE AT THE OFFICE. HE WAS HERE WORKING ON THIS, WORKING THROUGH THE PROCESS OF WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? HOW ARE WE CHANGING CONTROLS? WHAT ARE WE DOING? SO WE ARE VESTED IN TRYING TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT BY THE COMMUNITY. BUT I WOULD SAY, AGAIN, WE REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY, AND I APPRECIATE THAT EACH OF Y'ALL ARE HERE AND Y'ALL ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT IT. BUT THERE IS SOMEONE AND ACTUALLY TWO PART OF THIS. THERE ARE PEOPLE OF PASSION ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THIS RIGHT NOW. PLEASE REMEMBER AND BE RESPECTFUL ABOUT THAT. THAT'S THE ONE THING I THINK IS MY GREATEST DISAPPOINTMENT OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS IS I'VE WATCHED THIS IS THE DENIGRATION THAT HAS COME OF PEOPLE JUST AUTOMATICALLY ASSUMING, BECAUSE ONE PERSON IS A BAD ACTOR, THAT ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE INVOLVED WITH THE ORGANIZATION ARE A BAD ACTOR. THE FIVE OF US ARE UP HERE BECAUSE WE CHOSE TO STEP FORWARD, TO REPRESENT OUR COMMUNITY AND SERVE OUR COMMUNITY. AND I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND TELL YOU IT'S AN EXTREMELY THANKLESS JOB. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, WE GET BLASTED BY YOU AS OPPOSED TO SAYING, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT THIS? HOW CAN WE HELP YOU WITH THIS? I'M SAYING IT A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN THEY ARE BECAUSE THEY'RE STILL RUNNING. I'M, I'M I'M DONE. AND THIS IS PART OF THE REASON WHY I'M DONE. I AM SO TIRED OF US BEING A PUNCHING BAG FOR THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. WHEN OUR GOAL IS SERVICE AS WELL. MA'AM, TO YOUR TO YOUR THING, MAKE SURE TO SEND DOCTOR DUNN'S OFFICE A LETTER OR A NOTE OF THANKS, BECAUSE THE MONEY FOR THAT FIRE STATION WAS SPECIFICALLY DONE BY DOCTOR DUNN THAT GOT THAT GOING. AND THEN FROM THAT, KEITH AND JOEL AND OTHERS ALONG WITH ME, WORKED TO TIE ALL THOSE THINGS TOGETHER AND THE TDC TO PUT THAT COMPOUND TOGETHER. I LEANED IN WITH JOEL AND THEM RIGHT NEXT TO THE PARK UP THERE. WE DOUBLED THE SIZE OF THE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE UP THERE TO BE ABLE TO CREATE SOMETHING FOR THE COMMUNITY. GOD FORBID ANOTHER HURRICANE HITS US. THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE THE RESPONSE CENTER, WHERE EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE FOR EVERYBODY THAT LIVES IN THE NORTHERN AREA, TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS, TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY HAVE A DRIVE THROUGH PROCESS, TO BE ABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY UP THERE. IT'S ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I DID, BUT THIS IS THE SPEED OF GOVERNMENT, FOLKS. I STARTED ON THAT WHEN I GOT ELECTED SIX YEARS AGO. IT'S JUST NOW GETTING WHERE IT'S GOING TO BE READY FOR FOR PRODUCTION. UNFORTUNATELY, IT JUST TAKES A WHILE TO GO THROUGH THESE PROCESSES AND IT IS FRUSTRATING. THERE'S NO OTHER WAY TO IT. BUT TO THAT END, I WOULD SAY, JOEL, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE DONE. I KNOW IT'S NOT BEEN EASY FOR YOU THIS PAST WEEK, AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE AND LEANING IN TO THAT, AND THAT'S [01:00:03] ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CROSBY. WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW FIRE STATION BEING OPEN OFF OF HIGHWAY 20. IT'S GOING TO BE AN IMPORTANT ADDITI YOUR COMMUNITY. IT'S GOING TO GIVE US QUICK ACCESS, NOT ONLY FIRE, BUT ALSO EMS, QUICKER RESPONSE TIMES, WHAT YOU NEED. AND OUR HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILIES AND THE LOSSES THERE. THE THING THAT THE SITUATION AT ANIMAL CONTROL, I AGREE COMPLETELY. THERE'S THERE'S NO ROOM FOR THAT KIND OF THINGS TO GO ON. THERE'S THERE'S NO EXCUSE FOR IT. I DO HAVE ONE PERSONAL THING. WELL, NOT REALLY PERSONAL THING. IT'S A I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A EVENT COMING UP AND IN NOVEMBER THE 14TH, IT'S GOING TO BE A DIABETES AWARENESS EVENT AT THE FSU HOLLY CENTER. IT'LL GO ON FROM 8 TO 2 ON ON SATURDAY THE 14TH. IT'S GOING TO HAVE A FOCUS ON JUVENILE DIABETES, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT IN OUR IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE HAVE, I FEEL WE HAVE A LACK OF EDUCATION, A LACK OF FUNDING, A LACK OF AWARENESS OF HOW SERIOUS JUVENILE DIABETES IS. MY DAUGHTER WAS DIAGNOSED, MY OLDEST DAUGHTER, NOW, WHO'S 34, WAS DIAGNOSED AT EIGHT YEARS OLD. AND WE LIVED IN ATLANTA AT THE TIME AND WE WERE. WE HAD THE BENEFIT OF HAVING REALLY GOOD EDUCATION. WE HAD A SITUATION THERE THAT WAS ALLOWED US TO LEARN AS PARENTS HOW TO TAKE CARE OF OUR CHILD AND HOW TO GIVE HER THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE AT HOME. AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE FAMILIES HERE IN BAY COUNTY DO NOT HAVE, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEART, MY MY WIFE'S HEART AND MY FAMILY. THE AT THIS AT THIS EVENT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A KEYNOTE SPEAKER WHO IS GLENN MCDONALD? HE'S THE PRESIDENT OF THE GULF COAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE, NOT COMMUNITY COLLEGE, STATE COLLEGE NOW. AND GLENN IS A TYPE ONE DIABETIC. AND YOU'RE GOING TO SEE HERE OTHER FAMILIES. THIS IS GOING TO BE PUT ON IN CONJUNCTION WITH PAIN CARE, AS WELL AS TALLAHASSEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL. THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGISTS COMING OVER TO SPEAK. IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT EVENT, AND YOU'RE GOING TO BE HEAR MORE ABOUT IT IN THE NEXT COMING WEEKS. BUT I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT ON EVERYBODY'S RADAR AND THAT'S ALL THAT I HAVE. CHAIRMAN. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I THINK EVERYONE HAS GONE OVER THE ISSUES PRETTY THOROUGHLY FOR TODAY. JUST A REMINDER THAT WE ARE PLANNING TO HAVE SOME INCREMENT WEATHER, SOME BAD WEATHER THIS WEEKEND. AND IF YOU DO TRAP CATS IN THE BAD WEATHER, THERE ARE FINES THAT WILL FOLLOW FOR THAT. SO PLEASE KEEP THAT IN MIND. AND WE'RE ROLLING OUR SLEEVES UP AND ATTACKING BOTH OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT TODAY WITH FULL FORCE. AND WE THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING OUT HERE TODAY. AND WITH THAT, * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.